FDF response to today's announcement on UK tariffs

“Today's announcement on tariffs underlines why the UK is not ready to exit the
EU on 29
March. Business cannot adapt to this new regime in just two weeks. It is
disgraceful; that we are, only
now, getting to see these. There must be proper consultation with business
before a change of this
magnitude is introduced.

“We were promised that business would only have to adapt to one new change of
rules; it's
now clear that promise has not been kept.

“This new system is confusing and complex. It includes some zero tariffs, some
new tariffs and
some quotas. Some foodstuffs qualify for partial protection and some not for
any
protection at all; with
little logic to explain the difference. New tariffs will apply to some foods
that are currently imported tariff-
free, yet no tariffs will be applied to goods that cross the border between
Ireland and Northern Ireland.
This is likely to result in massive trade distortions.

“In a world where it is costly and complex to export finished goods to the EU,
and costly and
complex to import key ingredients, many food and drink manufacturers who trade
with the EU will surely
question whether the UK is the right place for them to be.

“This is yet another reason why Parliament must, this evening, act decisively to
remove the
threat of exiting the EU without a deal on 29 March 2019.”